Mom Talk: Babysitter Hunters

Parenting is a tough job.  Present day parenting can be complex and exhausting.  Families these days are busy, busy and busy.  Most parents need a trusted person(s) to assist them in the 24/7 parenting dance. 

Increasingly, American families are spread far and wide and do not have a web of extended family near by to fill in the childcare gaps.  Here begins the babysitter search.  How do we find not only someone who wants to watch our children, but someone capable, trustworthy, talented and worth their hourly fee? 

Fortunately, there are a plethora of varied avenues to find a fantastic babysitter.  Some are tried and true, some a little more “modern” and some just clever and creative. 

Thankfully, many of the methods our mothers and grandmothers used to find help with their children still work.  Many a babysitter can still be found via willing neighbors, friends, the local church, the teenager down the street and babysitting co-ops.  These options tend to be more economical as well.  Erica Graeff of Richmond Beach who uses her neighbor at least once a week to watch her two young daughters, “pays” her in lattes.  In addition to being free, a babysitting co-op has the added benefit of connecting you with your community (another challenge to modern times). 

 “For several years (before moving to Shoreline), I belonged to a great babysitting co-op in Queen Anne with about 10 families," Susan Campbell said. "It was a wonderful way to connect with local families and share free and trustworthy child sitting.” 

The teenager down the street tends to be cheaper than a nanny who has made a career out of caring for children.  There’s also the added bonus of having his/her parents near by as an extra security net.  Kimberly Koenig of Shoreline shared a fantastic idea not only for finding a babysitter but connecting with your neighborhood in general, “I helped put together a summer BBQ for our neighborhood and ended up meeting a teenager (and her parents) who lived down the street and she was our best babysitter.”

For those who prefer a bit more of a selection and accountability, there are several modern means of finding a babysitter.  This wouldn’t be 2011 if the Internet weren’t somehow involved.  For a fee, babysitting sites such as care.com, sittercity.com and barefootstudent.com offer babysitter classifieds where you can browse various listings.  Most sitters listed have already cleared a background check and are First Aid/CPR certified.  Some sites also offer a section for parents to write a review of any sitters they have used.  Many busy working families tap into the wealth of talent at the child’s daycare.  Not only is there already an established relationship between your child and the caregiver but they too must have a current First Aid/CPR certification and a clean background check.  One downfall is that these caregivers, because of their experience, tend to be a bit pricier.  Some daycares and community centers host a “parent’s night out” where you can sign up ahead of time and drop your children off for the evening to have some kid fun while you enjoy some adult fun.  

College students are a fantastic option as well. What student doesn’t need extra cash?  Some creative thinking parents out there have posted ads at the local nursing schools and even sororities.  A nursing school student more than likely comes with a responsible and caring disposition.  The sorority girls offer a hint of youth, fun, responsibility and a whole list of “sisters” who can sub for them if they are unavailable. 

If grandma and grandpa don’t live near by, don’t panic.  There are still many fantastic options for some parenting relief.  Get out there and network, talk to your neighbors, organize a bbq, check out the church down the street or get on-line.  Start planning your next date night.  Chances are you and your kids will not only be the better for it but will meet some great people in your community as well.